Turbo Pure

This yeast exists as a 24-hour variety that produces 14% and another variety produces 18% in a week. I have tested both types of this yeast and found it absolutely superior! The alcohol produced by this yeast makes the mash almost so clean that no carbon purification is required (I am NOT exaggerating). If you use the type that produces 14% you must double distil otherwise the spirit will not be strong enough. The 18% version only needs a single distillation to give a good strength. It also ferments clean but the 24 hour version produces a somewhat better quality.

Making mash is very easy; just follow the directions on the packet. In principle the procedure is as follows: Pour 8 kg granulated sugar in a fermenting vessel and add water up to the 25 litre mark. Add the yeast and stir until the sugar has dissolved. On the yeast packet it states that fermentation should take 3-5 days as a rule. This is not enough. Allow a week, preferably more. If you have strong mash you will get strong spirit and visa versa. 18-20 % mash is necessary to reach 40 % in the final product. Turbo Pure 24 hour only needs 48 hours, but as mentioned you would have to double-distil to achieve a good strength spirit using this yeast.

One more point about mash

When you distil it is preferable that the mash is a pure as possible. That is to say there are a few things to think about that will improve quality. These are not essential but if you want the best possible quality I do recommend you follow them.

1. Use good yeast. The best you can get is Turbo Pure.

2. Ferment cold. If you can, ferment at a temperature of 20 degrees C. Remember that 24 and 48 hour yeast evolves quite a bit of heat so place the vessel where the temperature is less than 20 degrees. You produce a cleaner product if fermenting is cooler.

3. After fermentation ceases add a wine-clearing agent. A clearing agent or fining causes the yeast to sink to the bottom faster giving a clear liquid. It is possible to distil a cloudy mash but the quality will not be as good.